Union Home Minister Amit Shah has declared that Ahmedabad is on its way to becoming India’s sports capital, citing its growing world-class infrastructure. Speaking at the inauguration of the new Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Naranpura, Shah asserted that there is a strong possibility of the city hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games, with the Union government already making all the necessary preparations for the 2036 Olympics as well.
During his address, Shah highlighted the city’s impressive facilities, including the Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium in Motera, the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave, and the newly built Veer Savarkar Sports Complex, which was constructed at a cost of £82.5mn. He stated that the new complex is already scheduled to host as many as 13 international sporting events leading up to 2036. Shah also noted that organisers of two recent international events held at the complex had praised it as the most modern.
Shah used statistics to underscore the government's commitment to sports development, contrasting the sports budget of £164.3mn in 2014-15 with this year’s £530mn. He also pointed out India's improved performance in the Olympics, noting that the country had won 15 medals in the last eight years, compared to just 20 between 1948 and 2012. He concluded by reiterating Prime Minister Modi’s goal for India to be a world leader in every field by 2047, asserting that the nation’s youth should not fall behind in sports.